National Post editorial board: The F-35 debacle

The F-35 debacle

We have previously supported the government’s intention to purchase F-35 fighter jets to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aging fleet of CF-18s. But several reports have made clear that the government listened too closely to military sources and did not exercise due diligence on the full costs of purchasing, and maintaining, these aircraft — costs that have soared well beyond initial estimates. Established protocols for equipment procurement were bypassed in the government’s haste to purchase F-35s, and the result was a program in disarray.

This week, Postmedia News reported, a new report suggests that procuring and sustaining a fleet of 65 F-35s could require $46-billion over the expected 36-year service life of these planes, higher even than the already bloated numbers. In light of this, the government is now believed to be fully resetting the entire procurement process. As it should.

The F-35 may yet enter Canadian service. It is a fearsome, sophisticated aircraft expected to be used by many of our closest allies. But the government clearly has no choice but to go back to the beginning of the process. That will mean a sober second look at other combat aircraft that were originally disqualified from consideration because they did not offer the same stealth capabilities as the F-35.

We cannot begin to guess when the government will finally place orders for new planes, though we hope it’s soon. It takes years to introduce a new plane into service, and the CF-18s don’t have many years left. Yet fighter jets remain a critical part of our arsenal, both for enforcing our own sovereignty and acting abroad. They are not optional for Canada. The CF-18s must be replaced.

But whenever the final choice is made, it must be made using a better process than the one that led to this unfolding debacle. We don’t share the opinion of many members of the opposition that Defence Minister Peter MacKay should resign for this, but he cannot escape his share of the responsibility. This unfolded on his watch. As the rebooted process to replace the F-35s gets underway, we — and all Canadians — will be watching closely.

In the wake of a Grammy Awards ceremony that disappointed many, from Kanye West to the masses on Twitter lamenting the state of pop music, a historical perspective is key. Few are better poised to offer one than Andy Kim.